gwen turned 8, and other pre Christmas schtuff

In the week before Christmas, Gwen and Claire had Christmas programs...actually the programs were skits that had as much in common with Christmas as my lawn mower. All effort was made to have no hint of actual Christmas anything. Here's Gwen in the "Winter tea" dressed as a bunny. Her face may be expressing "Am I an Easter bunny?.

Despite the school's comic flaccid 'holiday' (from "holy day") efforts devoid of any Christmas significance or meaning, we celebrated it for real with family and friends. Our neighborhood church put on a fantastic Christmas program replete with winter lights, backdrop ambience, and snow machines during the program.

This pic sorta shows the reaction of kids who can't remember ever seeing snow...even when it's fake. Actually, Gwen saw snow when she was 4 one day, Christmas 2004 here.

Notice how Claire blissfully piles it on her hair.

Mid December we went to Houston for their great grampa's birthday.

The kids were psyched to put together the tree and played in the christmas tree box. Click to enlarge that pic to see how much Claire's cat TOTALLY hated it...but they were proud of their tree.

The lighted boat parade was fun this year and weather was nice.

Gwen turned 8 and got some pink jeans she loves.

Race got ice cream at Gwen's party.

Claire recently realized she can pull the bow by herself so she shot the frisbee I tacked on the fence for her .

more christmas pics to come.